Strong Foundation Support Counselling

15/03/2026

Something that often causes confusion in the NDIS is billable time for support workers.

If a support worker is scheduled for a four hour shift but arrives 15 minutes late, they cannot simply charge the full four hours unless the full four hours of support are actually delivered.

In practice this usually means one of two things.

They either charge only for the time they actually worked, which in this example would be 3 hours and 45 minutes.

Or they stay an extra 15 minutes so the participant still receives the full four hours of support that was scheduled.

Participants are paying for support that is actually delivered, not just the time that was originally booked.

Of course there are some circumstances where providers can still charge even if the service does not go ahead. For example, short notice cancellations that fall within the agreed cancellation period in the service agreement may still be chargeable under the NDIS pricing rules.

Most providers and support workers do the right thing, but understanding how billable time works can help prevent misunderstandings and protect a participant’s plan funding.

Have you ever had confusion around how support hours were billed?

14/03/2026

Growth is often uncomfortable. It can look like uncertainty, difficult conversations, new boundaries, or stepping into situations that feel unfamiliar.

Many of the moments that lead to real change don’t feel easy at the time. They can feel messy, challenging, and sometimes even discouraging. But they are often signs that something important is shifting.

If you’re currently navigating change or feeling stretched by life, support can make a real difference.
Counselling offers space to talk openly, make sense of what’s happening, and find practical ways forward.
Feel free to share this with someone who might need the reminder today.

14/03/2026

The Hidden Stress Of Rising Costs

Across the world right now, many people are feeling a quiet pressure that is difficult to explain.

Looking for support but not sure where to start? I help people navigate anxiety, burnout, relationships, grief, and life transitions with practical, grounded counselling tailored to your needs. If you’re ready to take that first step or want to learn more about how counselling can help, you can check out my profile here: https://www.halaxy.com/profile/allan-bunyan/counsellor/1715549?clinic=1315559

11/03/2026

Living with a disability can make everyday things harder than most people realise.

What people often do not see is the constant adapting, problem solving, and determination it takes just to navigate things others take for granted.

Strength does not always look dramatic.
Sometimes it looks like getting through the day.
Sometimes it looks like learning a new way of doing things.
Sometimes it is simply refusing to give up.

What is a challenge you have faced that made you realise you were stronger than you thought?

Today’s reminder.

You are stronger than you think.

If you are navigating disability, injury, or major life changes and need a place to talk things through, support is available. Feel free to reach out.

https://www.strongfoundationsupport.com

10/03/2026

There are many different ways people can manage anxiety, and what works for one person may be different for another.

Some small strategies that people often find helpful include:

• slow breathing
• spending time outdoors
• staying physically active
• talking with supportive people
• practising self-compassion

Another useful strategy is planning “worry time”.

Instead of worrying all day, set aside 10 minutes to write down your worries. This can sometimes help stop them from taking over the rest of your day.

Anxiety can make life feel overwhelming, but support is available.

If anxiety has been affecting you, you’re welcome to reach out. Sometimes a conversation can be the first step toward understanding what’s going on and finding ways to move forward.

10/03/2026

Really grateful to Cairns Local News for taking the time to share the story behind why I started Strong Foundation Support.

My work as a counsellor is shaped not only by professional experience in the NDIS space since 2018, but also by my own lived experience of disability. I’ve seen first hand how difficult the transition can be for people adjusting to injury, long term health conditions, or major life changes.

One of the biggest challenges people face is not just the practical side of disability, but the loss of identity, purpose and direction that can come with it. That’s where counselling can make a real difference.

Strong Foundation Support was created to provide support during those times of change, particularly when people return to the community and are trying to rebuild their lives.

If you or someone you know is navigating injury, disability, or a difficult period in life, you’re welcome to reach out.

I offer counselling in Cairns and via telehealth, along with a free 15 minute meet and greet to see if it feels like the right fit.

You can read the article here
https://www.cairnslocalnews.com.au/experience-drives-service-2026-03-10?fbclid=IwY2xjawQcy81leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeWwi4Tlpo2PTy8dGmMizjm978aBB1g-kSPE6X5F6DKkIf6sVyRSwelC4lCuM_aem_HRXGjIrFfiIufvnvNWhLcA

And thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way. It means a lot.

A CAIRNS counsellor with lived experience of disability has launched a new practice aimed at supporting people adjusting to injury and long-term health conditions.

09/03/2026

There’s been a video circulating recently raising concerns about how some NDIS services are billed, particularly around the idea of “two hour minimum shifts.”

This is something worth talking about.

Many participants and families are told there must be a two hour minimum for services. In reality, this is often a provider policy, not an NDIS rule. The NDIS generally expects services to be billed based on the actual support delivered.

This issue is not just about cleaning. It can apply to a wide range of supports including personal care, community access, and other services funded through the NDIS.

When blanket minimums are applied without flexibility, participants can end up paying for more time than the support actually required. Over time that can eat into funding that was meant to help them in other areas of their life.

Participants deserve clear information about how services are billed. They deserve transparency, honest conversations and the ability to choose providers who work in a way that respects their funding.

For our services, we do not enforce two hour minimum shifts. We believe supports should reflect what is actually needed and what is actually delivered.

The NDIS exists to support people living with disability. The focus should always remain on the participant, not the convenience of the provider.

Transparency matters.
Fair billing matters.
And the people relying on these supports matter most.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDPsRyV5lQk&t=797s

Sign the petition: https://www.ndisexposed.com/petitionThe National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a $50+ billion Australian program that funds suppor...

08/03/2026

Some days progress doesn’t look like big steps forward.
Sometimes it simply means getting through the day, taking a breath, and showing up again tomorrow.

For many people navigating stress, injury, disability, grief or major life changes, even small steps matter. They are still progress.

If this resonates with you, feel free to reach out.
Happy to have a quick conversation to see if counselling might help.
If someone you know needs support, you’re welcome to share this.

07/03/2026

You never really know what someone is carrying behind the scenes. Life can bring stress, injury, grief, disability, major changes and moments where things simply feel overwhelming.

Sometimes the strongest thing a person can do is keep going, even when the day feels heavy. Support, understanding and the right strategies can make a real difference when you're navigating difficult seasons.

If this resonates with you, feel free to reach out.
Happy to have a quick conversation to see if counselling might help.
If someone you know needs support, you’re welcome to share this.

06/03/2026

A lot of people think counselling is only for when life completely falls apart.

But in my experience, many people who would benefit from counselling never reach out because they believe things about counselling that simply are not true.

I recently made a short video talking about 5 common myths about counselling that often stop people from getting support.

Things like:

• Counselling is only for people who are “broken”
• Counselling is just talking about feelings
• Counsellors tell you what to do
• Counselling takes years
• You should only go when things are really bad

The reality is counselling can simply be a space to slow down, talk openly about what is happening in your life, and work out how to move forward.

If you have ever been curious about counselling, this video might give you a clearer idea of what it actually looks like.

If you ever need support, I offer counselling in person in Cairns and also via telehealth.

Sometimes one conversation at the right time can make a big difference.

04/03/2026

🌟 Welcome Back, Allan! 🌟
Strong Foundation Support Counselling
💪 here to help you navigate the NDIS 💪

We’re absolutely delighted to welcome the incredible Allan with his new business - Strong Foundation Support - back into the www.tradingmate.com.au business community! 🙌💙

Allan continues to do meaningful, heart-led work across our region, providing personalised and reliable support services that genuinely make a difference in people’s lives 🌱✨ His focus on empowerment, independence and respectful care is exactly what our community is all about.

💪 Strong Foundation Support provides:
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Individualised disability & support services
🏡 Community access & participation support
📋 Tailored support planning
🌟 Reliable, person-centred care
🤝 Practical assistance that builds confidence and independence

Allan’s commitment to helping people create strong, sustainable foundations for their future is something we truly admire 💫

Allan, thank you for joining the Trading Mate community and for the important work you continue to do in FNQ. We’re so pleased to have you on board! 💙

📞 Connect with Strong Foundation Support:
🌐 Website: https://www.strongfoundationsupport.com/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StrongFoundationSupport/
📧 Email: allan@strongfoundationsupport.com
☎️ Phone: 0423 763 712

💙

https://www.tradingmate.com.au/toolbox-talk/2708--welcome-back-allan-